Transportation building has room for everything and everybody

Short buses fit in the old Post Falls School District shop just fine.

But that was in the 1960s when buses only held 48 passengers.

When district mechanics worked on the newer 72-passenger buses, they couldn’t close the garage door because the buses were longer than the garage.

The district’s new $940,000 transportation building – funded through a May 2006 bond levy – has a shop big enough for two buses with room to spare.

“We can do a lot more in this shop,” mechanic John Brooks said. Before, if he took the hood off a bus to work on the engine, he had to set the hood outside because there wasn’t space in the shop.

Mechanics, bus drivers and other employees were divided among three outdated buildings – including one that was donated to the district by the railroad and reassembled by the bus drivers, said District Business Manager Sid Armstrong.

Now the entire department is under one roof.

There’s space for training, several bathrooms, storage room for spare parts, and the district’s mailroom will also be housed in the building.

Dispatcher Tracie Anderson and Transportation and Maintenance Secretary Gina Pilmore used to be in a building that faced away from the bus lot.

“It’s pretty awesome,” Anderson said. “I really like having the drivers right here. Communication is a lot better.”

Superintendent interviews scheduled for midmonth

The Lakeland School District is reviewing applications for the district’s next superintendent. Ten applied to replace retiring Superintendent Chuck Kinsey, Business Manager Tom Taggart said.

The school board is narrowing the field to three or four finalists and interviews are planned for mid-April, Taggart said.

Scholarship applications being accepted

Applications for the Sarah Jones Memorial Scholarship are being accepted through April 15. The Blanchard Area Seniors Incorporated awards two to three scholarships each year to high school seniors who live in the Blanchard area. The scholarship is in memory of Sarah Jones, an 18-year-old who was killed by a drunk driver in March 2005. For information contact Elsie Vernon at 437-0246.